Ostensibly what the word itself implies: ‘a fort on a hill’ – though in more recent years the archaeological notion of them as purely defensive fortresses has subsided. Hillforts are generally huge monuments in the landscape, almost always at the top, or near the top, of what seem to have been deemed pretty impregnable places. Entire settlements existed within some hillforts, most of which came into existence in the Iron Age. Common sense tells that these hilltop sites afforded protection against marauding bears, boars and wolves, as much as against rival tribes!
HILLFORTS: Bibliography & References
- Abbey Craig, Stirling, Stirlingshire
- An Dun, Gairloch, Ross & Cromarty
- Ardanstur, Melfort, Argyll
- Balvicar, Seil, Argyll
- The Bastard, Feochaig, Campbeltown, Argyll
- Bradley, Frodsham, Cheshire
- Brean Down, Brean, Somerset
- Bryn Alyn, Wrexham, Denbighshire
- Buckton Castle, Mossley, Lancashire
- Caesar’s Camp, Bracknell, Berkshire
- Castercliff, Nelson, Lancashire
- Castleberg, Nesfield, North Yorkshire
- Castle Coeffein, Clachan, Lismore, Argyll
- Castle Craig, Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire
- Castle Ditch, Eddisbury, Delamere, Cheshire
- Castle Head Hill, Lindale, Cumbria
- Castle Hill, Almondbury, West Yorkshire
- Castle Hill, Culross, Fife
- Castle Hill, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire
- Castle Hill, Wentbridge, South Yorkshire
- Cnocan Dubh, Ballachulish, Argyll
- Creag a’ Chapuill, Ford, Kilmartin, Argyll
- Croft Ambrey, Yatton, Herefordshire
- Danebury Hill, Nether Wallop, Hampshire
- Denoon Law, Glamis, Angus
- Devil’s Dyke, Poynings, Sussex
- Dinedor Camp, Herefordshire
- Dumyat, Blairlogie, Stirling, Stirlingshire
- Dun Bhuirg, Iona, Argyll
- Dun Chathach, Connel, Argyll
- Dun Chibhich, Gigha, Argyll
- Dun Chonallaich, Ford, Argyll
- Dun Gallain, Colonsay, Argyll
- Dun I, Iona, Argyll
- Dun Mac Samhainn, Kilmartin, Argyll
- Dun Mac Sniachan, Benderloch, Argyll
- Dun Mor, Glen Clova, Angus
- Dun na Nighinn, Ford, Argyll
- Eddisbury Hill, Delamere, Cheshire
- Garrywhin Fort, Ulbster, Caithness
- Grianan of Aileach, Carrowreagh, Donegal
- Grinnan Hill, Braco, Perthshire
- Helsby Hill, Helsby, Cheshire
- Ivinghoe Beacon, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
- Kelsborrow Castle, Kelsall, Cheshire
- Knockfarrel, Strathpeffer, Inverness-shire
- Knock Hill, Dunblane, Stirlingshire
- Lawhead Fort, Penicuik, Midlothian
- Longfaugh, Crichton, Midlothian
- Maiden Castle, Bickerton, Cheshire
- Maiden Castle, Dorchester, Dorset
- Maiden Castle, Waterfoot, Cumbria
- Manor Farm, Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire
- Martinsell Hill, Oare, Pewsey, Wiltshire
- Mount Pleasant, Dorchester, Dorset
- Oakmere, Delamere, Cheshire
- Pitchbury Ramparts, Great Horkesley, Essex
- Portfield Camp, Whalley, Lancashire
- Rathgall Hillfort, County Wicklow
- Ring Hill, Littlebury, Essex
- Rough Haw, Flasby, North Yorkshire
- Skelmore Heads, Great Urswick, Cumbria
- South Kirkby, South Yorkshire
- Tadmarton Heath, Wigginton Heath, Oxfordshire
- Uphall Camp, Ilford, Essex
- Wallstale, Cambusbarron, Stirling, Stirlingshire
- Warton Crag, Warton, Lancashire
- Woodhouse Hill, Helsby, Cheshire